The Steel Guitar Forum

Now I am confused!
Is it Buddie Emmons, or Buddy Emmons???

It's Buddy. He just put that on the front of that guitar because it had six letters, same as his last name. He liked the symmetry of it but it didn't stick.

Apparently he went by 'Buddie' in the early days. Here's an old picture of another guitar he played with 'Buddie' on it.



This issue has been discussed before here on the Forum, but I don't know how to find it.

Back in 1984, I stood next to him as he checked in to a hotel to play a steel show we were promoting. When the clerk asked his last name, he carefully spelled it out for her so she wouldn't have any difficulty finding his reservation:

"E M O N D S"

One of those classic Buddy Emmons moments you don't forget.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

The latest use of Buddie I have ever seen is the 1964 Emmons Brochure

Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...

I believe the guitar in the first pic was the one Pete Drake bought, and put his name over Buddy's.

The picture was actually on an eBay ad...

But is interesting to know the name transition.

I transitioned from "Scottie" to Scott in high school.

And NO, I cannot beam you up!

But a Duck is worth a lot!

Chris Lucker wrote:The latest use of Buddie I have ever seen is the 1964 Emmons Brochure

Nice pic Chris. I would love to have that 64 Emmons guitar. Do you know where that one is?

Yes, I do know where that guitar is. I have had it for a number of years but it is currently on Mike Cass' bench. It will be coming back shortly.
Notice that it is a Stereo Guitar, but it has tall single coils, not Stereo pickups. It never was Stereo.

Well at least we can eliminate Bud, Buddey and Buddi.

According to some biographies he was born Buddie Gene Emmons, but Buddy/Bud/Buddie is usually a nickname given to an eldest son who carries the same Christian name as his father, which would suggest that he was born Gene Emmons, Buddy being a nickname.

Anyone know what is on his birth certificate?

...or Bud Dee !

But DO NOT,under any circumstances,call him "Bud"!!!

In my opinion, Mr. Cohen nailed it. It seems to me that an obvious give-away in the first picture is the incorrect time line. I doubt he ever wore a derby during his Sho~Bud days.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

When Roger Rettig pronounces his name it come out "But E"

Just for the record, I first married when I was 17 years old, which required my mother to find my birth certificate in Mishawaka, Indiana and send to me. After weeks of waiting, my mother called and told me the holdup was due to my name being entered erroneously at birth. It wasn’t Bud or Buddy Gene. I was born Betty Jean Emmons. Had I used that name, I'd probably have been classified as a pretty good steel guitar player for a girl. Kinda wish I had now that I think about it. Anyway, I've had several people not believe Buddy is my real name. maybe I should have changed it to Horace.

The spelling Buddie was used as a teenager so I would have six letters in the first and last name. Talk about insecurity.

Buddy,
Can't tell you how much I appreciate seeing your post. We love ya and we really miss ya! Take care.

Betty Jean! That's a keeper!

Jim Cohen wrote:Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...

I thought it kinda looked like that too when I saw it in the Tennessean.

Great to see Buddy here.

Sid,
Lest we not forget,,,,,,LOL!
It does have a nice ring to it,,,,don't it?
BB

Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...

I think it's the real deal, Jim. Here's a couple more pictures to validate it.




The photos were taken when the guitar went into the CMHOF.

Buddy's on line 64 with his Mom & Dad just above on 62 & 63. (not sure how much the for-um will downsize this)

I never saw those pictures of "Buddie" until recently. Buddy said that is his real name and regardless of how it is spelled I personally believe he is the greatest steel player of all time. Man, I love that Emmons sound.

Well, I still have one live hero!

I saw Buddy in 1977 in Charlotte at a club owned by Walt Barton, and on a break Buddy was changing a string. After he took it off I stopped him just as he was about to throw it on the floor and I asked him if I could have it. He laughed and said yes. He curled it up and gave it too me. I fastened it to the inside of my pack-a-seat and there it remains. Silly? Maybe. But it means something to me!